The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 468

Just as Maeve was starting to feel cornered, a knock on the door broke the tension. Archer walked in, looking calm as always. "Ms. Reese, is everything okay?"

Maeve practically sighed in relief. "Archer, perfect timing. Could you please explain to her that Mr. Mcdaniel asked me to come here to grab some documents?" Archer immediately understood the situation. "Of course. That's correct."

He turned to the secretary, his expression firm but not unkind. "You know no one's supposed to be in Mr. Mcdaniel's office without approval. Why are you here instead of handling your duties outside?"

It wasn't Archer being harsh to impress Maeve, rules were rules, especially for the secretarial team. New hires were always briefed on these things, yet somehow this one had managed to miss the memo. He hadn't expected this new hire to be so clueless.

The secretary flushed, clearly embarrassed. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Bax. I do know the rule, but I panicked when I saw someone I didn't recognize in the office. I thought it might be something serious. I won't do it again." Maeve jumped in before it got awkward. "It's fine, really. She was just doing her job and being careful. Honestly, it's a good thing to be alert."

She couldn't help but think back to the incident at the airport when she'd been scolded for mixing up cars. 'Yep, can't really throw stones here!

Archer gave a small nod of agreement. "As you wish, Ms. Reese." He turned back to the secretary. "You can return to your desk now."

The girl mumbled a quick apology, glanced briefly at Maeve, and hurried out.

Maeve froze for a second, staring after her. Something about the girl seemed oddly familiar. Her tied-up ponytail, that small mole under her eye-it all clicked.

she was the girl from Byron's sketch.

People change as they grow older. But the resemblance was uncanny, right down to the

tone polite, "have you found the documents Mr.

she heard Archer's voice. She quickly nodded, holding the file. "Got it. I should head

you off,"

but Maeve paused before they got there. "Archer, one

after they left last week. Her resume was a perfect fit, so she got the job." "I

University.... Maeve repeated, her mind racing. It

be... Byron's first love? What if seeing

mentioned, ages ago, that he had feelings for

years, that first love always stays special. Time just adds this kind of nostalgic filter

feeling a little drained. The

in this relationship, it was like life was already about to take

got back to the hospital, she was still in a daze. Jason and Ryan had already gone to

to get taller. Taking my chicken drumstick is taking away my height.

cartoon t-shirt. "Look at that stomach. You sure you still need more to eat? No wonder your mommy's hugging Will instead of you." Will quickly pushed his drumstick toward Theo with a grin. "You can have mine. Eat

share a chicken drumstick with their kid. Unlike Will,

classic move-one praising while the other took a

"Daddy, this one's for you. Don't steal Theo's-he loves the crispy ones." Byron

clueless Theo, feeling like the luckiest younger

was outsmarting Will, but Will was way ahead of him. And Byron? Straight-up snatching his kid's drumstick like it was